CHARLESTOWN "CODE OF SILENCE"

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November 28 2005, 12:34 AM

Here's some background information on Charlestown;

CHARLESTOWN "CODE OF SILENCE"

On a summer night in 1992, George Sargent, 43, was shot to death outside a pizza parlor in Charlestown, Massachusetts. A few days earlier, he had provided information to police concerning criminal dealings in the neighborhood. As he lay dead on the sidewalk, no one called the police, and no one admitted to seeing the shooting. This startling response to the murder had become typical in Charlestown, a small community in North Boston. Members of the community were unwilling to share information that would facilitate homicide investigations because of their reliance on vigilante justice, fear of retaliation by criminals, and anti-police sentiment.

This unspoken code of silence made homicide investigations extremely difficult. Between 1975 and 1992, Charlestown experienced 49 murders, 33 of which were not solved. The community was being overrun by the Irish Mob, a group of violent career criminals who ran a major PCP and cocaine distribution center. Because intimidated citizens upheld the code of silence, these drug traffickers were able to operate with virtual impunity.

When it became clear that drugs were a large part of Charlestowns crime problem, the DEA got involved and joined forces with the Massachusetts State Police, Boston Police Department, and the Boston Housing Police Department. DEA agents and local officers worked together to gather intelligence and establish a comprehensive case against the criminals in the neighborhood. In order to find informants critical to solving both drug and murder cases, agents arranged to protect any witnesses who agreed to testify against the Charlestown criminals. As a result of three years of extensive investigations in Charlestown, by July 1994, 40 defendants were indicted on charges that included racketeering, murder, attempted murder, conspiracy to distribute cocaine, and armed robbery. One indictment charged that two of the defendants paid hired killers $5,000 to murder those they believed were encroaching on their turf. Once violent criminals such as these were removed from the Charlestown community, the threat of retaliation disappeared and the code of silence was broken. A hotline set up by the DEA yielded hundreds of calls from community residents that resulted in valuable leads and more significant arrests.

One reason for the success of the Charlestown investigation is that it was a collaborative effort that used the resources and talents of many law enforcement agencies. In addition to aligning with the state and local police, the DEA Boston Division also worked on the Charlestown investigation with the U.S. Attorneys Office; the Suffolk County District Attorneys Office; the FBI; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms; the Special Investigations Unit of the Massachusetts Department of Corrections; and the U.S. Marshals Service.

The Boston Irish Mob Wars

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November 28 2005, 1:00 AM

The Boston Irish Mob Wars started in the early 1960's, when according to Vincent Teresa in My Life in the Mafia, George McLaughlin (of "The McLaughlin Brothers" gang of Charlestown, Massachusetts), while drunk, apparently groped the breast of the girlfriend of Alex Rocco, a member of "The Winter Hill Gang" of Somerville, Massachusetts. This sparked the Irish Gang Wars that resulted in the deaths of over forty hoodlums from both sides. That includes Winter Hill Gang Leader James "Buddy" McLean, Edward "Punchy" McLaughlin, and Bernard McLaughlin.

George McLaughlin

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November 28 2005, 1:03 AM

George McLaughlin was a member of the "The McLaughlin Brothers" gang of Charlestown, Massachusetts. According to local legend, Georgie was responsable for the start of the Boston Irish Gang Wars when he drunkenly tried to grope the girlfreind of a member of Somerville's "Winter Hill Gang". After His brother Bernard McLaughlin was murdered by "Winter Hill Gang" leader James "Buddy" McLean, George and brother Edward "Punchy" McLaughlin murdered Russell Nicholson who was rumored to be McLean's driver in the shooting. Georgie was later arrested for the murder of a bank clerk and is still in prison.

Edward McLaughlin

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November 28 2005, 1:04 AM

Edward McLaughlin, also known as "Punchy", was a former boxer and a member of the "The McLaughlin Brothers" gang of Charlestown, Massachusetts. After His brother Bernard McLaughlin was murdered by "Winter Hill Gang" leader James "Buddy" McLean, Punchy and brother George McLaughlin murdered Russell Nicholson who was rumored to be McLean's driver in the shooting. After surviving many assassination attempts, Punchy was on his way to the Court House for his brother Georgie's murder trial, and was shot dead at a bus station in Roxbury.

Bernard "Bernie" McLaughlin

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November 28 2005, 1:06 AM

Bernard "Bernie" McLaughlin was the leader of Charlestown, Massachusetts Irish gang known as The McLaughlin Brothers. After he attempted to assasinate Somerville Irish mob leader James "Buddy" McLean Bernie was shot to death by Mclean in Charlestown town square on Halloween in broad daylight. Mclean was arrested but later aquitted of all charges.

Cornelius Hughes

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November 28 2005, 1:09 AM

Cornelius Hughes was a Charlestown, Massachusetts gangster and assasin for Charlestown's "The McLaughlin Brothers" gang. He assassinated Somerville, Massachusetts Irish gang leader James "Buddy" McLean during the Boston Irish Gang Wars which left over forty men dead from both Somerville and Charlestown. He was later shot to death in his car by Somerville's "Winter Hill Gang" assassins. His body was shot so badly his brain was found on the floor of his car.

Arthur "Butchy" Doe Jr

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January 24 2006, 11:39 AM

Arthur "Butchy" Doe Jr. was an Irish-American mobster from Charlestown, Massachusetts. He is remembered for his harrowing escapes. His father was Arthur Doe, Sr. who was killed in the late 1960's in Boston.

Re: you should only post what u know for a fact

You are a low life idiot

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April 3 2012, 5:49 PM

Once a low life, always a low life. Related to a low life, friend of a low life, just completely low life. You know what they say "you can't shine shit" - your low life relations and yourself are living proof. You shame the human race. You are probably the "missing link" but you don't have enough brain cells between all of you to even understand that. I bet you are confused with that statement and it's causing some brain cramps - huh?

"Connie" Hughes was my grandfather

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June 24 2009, 8:15 PM

I was just wondering if you know anything more on Cornelius Hughes? My father and grandmother refused to tell me anything about him. But im 20 years old now and i think i have a right to know about him. So if you could, please e-mail me anything you can find on him.

cornelius hughes?

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October 30 2015, 4:21 AM

My sister posted about wanting info on our grandfather Connie and I saw your post about him having other kids.. I don't know very much about my family on my fathers side. Just wondering if you may have anything helpful.